life
TOGETHER!
Fall 2011
council of churches of the ozarks
Tackling Red Flag Issues in Our Community
Special Gift Ideas
Family Projects – Share Time & Save Money
Double Your Donation
Share Christmas Help A Local Family
From the Executive Director Mission Statement To improve the quality of life in our region through collaborative outreach in the name of Jesus Christ, by doing together what can best be done together.
Council of Churches of the Ozarks Board of Directors Cindy Waites, Chair Kevin Ausburn Jan Baumgartner Roseann Bentley Kenneth Chumbley Kim Erdel Dan Friberg Neil Guion Gordon Kinne Byron Klaus Ken McClure David Peck Francine Pratt Tom Reidy Tim Rosenbury Neil Stenger, Ex Officio Bill Foster
The CCO Foundation Chair
CCOzarks.org 627 N. Glenstone P.O. Box 3947 Springfield, MO 65808 Office: 417-862-3586 Fax: 417-862-2129
From the Cover
Dear CCO Partners and Friends, Each day at CCO is focused on serving local families, children and individuals who are vulnerable to hunger, abuse and homelessness. The current year has seen a dramatic increase in the need for our services. Independent local sources point out that hunger in the Ozarks is on the increase, food insecurity is growing among middle class families, and child abuse and neglect are on the rise. So far in 2011, Crosslines has seen a 22% increase in the number of new families receiving food assistance. About half of all clients receiving food assistance at Crosslines are children. Ambassadors for Children has served 521 foster children over the past year, providing programs that build self-image and confidence. In collaboration with organizations such as The Kitchen, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, and with the support of volunteers from multiple churches, we are now able to provide homeless single women with shelter through a program called “Safe to Sleep.” These are just three examples of the day-to-day activity that give meaningful expression to the mission of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks. This Holiday Season we are preparing to serve thousands of families who are struggling in some way. We will be reaching out to ensure that children don’t go hungry at Thanksgiving and Christmas (or any other day), and that there are gifts to open for children and seniors (with special Christmas gift programs through the Crosslines Holiday Center, Ambassadors for Children and the Ombudsman Program serving Ozarks’ area nursing homes). Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity, whether in the form of a gift of time or treasure, inspires all of us here at CCO to reach out in the love of Jesus Christ this Christmas season. Thank you for sharing Christmas with vulnerable local families. If you know of a family in need of assistance this Holiday Season, please encourage them to contact us at 865-8610 (for holiday food or toys through Crosslines) or 862-3586 (CCO Central Office). With a Grateful Heart,
Tackling Red Flag Issues in Our Community — page 4 Share Christmas – Help A Local Family — pages 5, 7
Special Gift Ideas — page 8 Family Projects – Share Time & Save Money — page 10
Double Your Donation — page 3, Backcover
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Mark Struckhoff Executive Director
Double The Power of Your Donation!
Service Agencies Ambassadors For Children
Sondra Uzzell, msw, lcsw, Director 627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3586
Child Care Food Program
The Power of Together Challenge
Vicki McMillen, Director 1531 E. Sunshine E-1 Springfield, MO 65804 1-800-818-6812
Funds are still available to match dollar for dollar your gift of $100 or more! The power of your gift will help twice as many local families, provide food for hungry children, improving the self-image of abused and neglected children and so much more!
Child Care AwareÂŽ of Southern Missouri
Donate Securely Online at CCOzarks.org Thank you for your support!
Nicole Piper, Director 1910 E. Meadowmere Springfield, MO 65804 417-887-3545
Connections Handyman Service Richard Virnig, Director 627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3586
Crosslines
Thank you to our Sponsors! Presenting Sponsor - $5,000 +
Tom Faulkner, Director 1710 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield, MO 65802 417-869-0563
Daybreak Adult Day Care
Gold Sponsors - $2,500 +
Rick Stephenson, Director 1461 E. Seminole Springfield, MO 65804 417-881-0133 / 417-882-4243
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Connie Payne, Director 627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3598
Silver Sponsor - $1,000 + Hlavacek, Morris, McIntrye, Yates & Danielson Larry Freund, Inc. Peck’s Insurance & Financial Services Southern Missouri Containers Challenge Partner - $250 + Ollis & Company
RSVP
Sharon Bradford, Director 627 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO 65802 417-862-3595
CCOzarks.org
Uniting Faith. Serving with Compassion. life Together! 3
Poverty, Uncertainty and Abuse Community Focus 2011 A report for Springfield and Greene County was recently released to assess the overall conditions that need attention and that deserve recognition in our community. The Red Flag Themes include Insufficient Public Funding, Poverty, Economic Uncertainty and Child Abuse and Neglect. We tackle two of these Red Flags Themes head on through our service agencies.
Poverty – A Crosslines Focus The poverty levels in Springfield continue to grow and that trend has been exacerbated by the ongoing economic downturn over the last three years. According to the study, one of every two single mothers in the Springfield region is living in poverty and 50% of children in the Springfield R-12 School District qualify for free or reduced lunch. As national studies have shown, there is a rising number of families becoming food insecure and struggling to make ends meet. We have made great strides to improve our distribution model at Crosslines to more efficiently provide emergency food, save money (27% since we started the new model) and give a choice to our clients. Over 50% of the clients served at Crosslines are children which trends with the number of children that qualify for free or reduced lunches. Crosslines provides a safety net for our local families in crisis.
Statistics gathered from the Community Focus Report. To see the complete Community Focus Report for 2011 visit SpringfieldCommunityFocus.org
Tackling Big Issues in Our Community – Together Throughout the year, the service agencies of CCO serve local families in our community and this year has seen an increase in the need for our services. Poverty, Economic Uncertainty and Child Abuse & Neglect were identified as Red-Flag themes according the Community Focus Report released in October. We tackle these issues everyday through the service agencies of CCO. Hunger in the Ozarks is on the increase and food insecurity among middle class families grew. Crosslines has seen a 22% increase in pantry visits with 1745 new families so far this year. Child abuse and neglect are on the rise with August reporting 1,060 children from Greene County in foster care. This number is unprecedented as are the needs for local foster children, foster
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Child Abuse and Neglect – Ambassadors for Children Responds The statistics are staggering on the number of children in foster care from Greene County. With the increasing stress of the economic downturn, job loss, food insecurity and the daily mounting stresses, children are often the ones who experience the effects of this through abuse and neglect. According to MO Kids Count 2010, Springfield-Greene County has 26.6% of its children under age 6 living in poverty, a 59.8% increase over 2000 Census data. Despite the increase in the number of children in poverty, less than 40% of the 5,500 children are receiving Medicaid services and only 26% receive childcare subsidies. And, children who have been in the foster care system are less likely to graduate from high school or attend college, 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed as adults, more likely to experience homelessness, and more likely to have chronic illness or health issues. Children leaving foster care have a greater risk for substance abuse, early parenthood and incarceration. Ambassadors for Children is working hard to build the self-image of foster children and break the cycle. Through the Kid’s Clothes Closet, new clothes can be provided to foster children. Programs such as Adopt-A-Caseworker can help foster families, the foster children and the biological parents trying to regain custody of their children by providing specific items of need. Through Project Self-Esteem, foster children can receive items to boost their self-image and confidence by providing funds for sporting activities, camps, dental work, eyeglasses and more essential items to help these children grow and succeed.
families and biological families trying to regain custody of their children. Ambassadors for Children has served 521 foster children in the past year and works hard to provide new clothes and support through programs to build self-image and confidence. This Christmas season we are preparing to serve thousands of families to insure that children don’t go hungry on Christmas, that there are gifts to open for young and old, and foster children free from abuse. With your continued help, we can provide the assistance to help our local families. We thank you for your continued support and inspiration you give for us to share in the work of the Holy Spirit this Christmas season. If you know of a family that needs assistance this holiday season, please encourage them to contact us at 862-3586 or for food assistance contact 865-5810.
Sharing Christmas How You Can Give All of us together can help to lessen the struggles for families in our community. Your partnership will make such a difference! Here’s a few ways that you can “Share Christmas”: n Adopt a caseworker or teen to provide gifts and/or essential items for foster children through Ambassadors for Children. n Volunteer to help distribute toys or Christmas food baskets to local families through Crosslines. n Adopt a family through Crosslines to provide gifts and items for local families.
IDEA For Your OFFICE Jeans for Hunger at the Office For a $5 donation – employees can wear jeans on a designated day.
IDEA For Your YOUTH GROUP New Clothes for Kids Host a new clothing drive for abused and neglected children.
IDEA For Your CHURCH
The CCO Network Plug In. Get Connected. In September, CCO launched the CCO Network. The CCO Network will be a means for providing a bridge of communication and mutual support through planned, relationship-centered activities and digital/ social media platforms such as Facebook. Our aim is to build the network with a leader from each member church, affiliate member, or potential member who would serve as a coordinator of news and information flowing from member churches to CCO and the community, and news and information from CCO back to member churches. Make sure your church is connected! To find out more visit CCOzarks.org or call 862‑3586.
Blankets & Socks Drive Host a new blanket and socks drive for the elderly in local nursing homes. Added Sharing – involve Sunday School Classes to make Christmas Cards for the residents.
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Crosslines Mission Statement:
‘Serving God’s People In Need” Crosslines Holiday Center Holiday Assistance Registration for Christmas Food and Christmas Toys November 28 to December 3, 10am - 3pm Evening Hours on Thursday, December 1 – 10am - 7pm Saturday Hours on December 3 – 10am - 3pm (Closed November 23 to 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday)
Located at the Southern Hills Shopping Center at 2956 E Sunshine, Suite 3014E Contact the Crosslines Holiday Center at 417-865-5810 or online at CCOzarks.org
Coats for Kids This year GLO Cleaners and KY3 are helping Crosslines provide coats for kids in our community. Beginning November 7th and running through December 12th, families can select gently used coats to keep warm this winter season at the CCO Central Office (627 N. Glenstone). To donate coats, visit any GLO Cleaner.
Fazoli’s Holiday Promotion Special Thanks to Fazoli’s for providing food for the volunteers for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket distribution and the Crosslines Holiday Toystore. And, this holiday season, you can get a special sweet treat and help local families! The new Caramel Apple Cheesecake – $.50 from each slice sold will benefit Crosslines Holiday Center!
Gloria Deo Kids Help Feed Local Families! Gloria Deo, a Christian School for families that homeschool, organized a “Can Sculpture” contest. After a fun day of creating sculptures, the food brought in (nearly 400 pounds) was donated to Crosslines Food Pantry. Thank you to the children, parents and staff of Gloria Deo for helping local families in need!
Crosslines Christmas Toystore Distribution Date: December 17, 2011 Setup Dates: December 12 - 17, 2011 Located at the National Guard Armory – 1400 N. Fremont Come share the joy of the Christmas season with us! Parents who are struggling can come to the Crosslines Christmas Toystore and “shop” for gifts. Last year, over three thousand children were helped through the program and we are anticipating an increased number this year. You can help through volunteering, donating new toys or hosting toy drives at your church or business!
To volunteer call 865-5810. (Volunteers for the Toystore need to be age 13 or older)
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Serving Abused & Neglected Children From The Ozarks
“Adopt” a Teenager in Foster Care for Christmas n Help support these children who are often overlooked during the Holidays n $100 or 5 gifts per child, whichever comes first n Teenager’s first name, age and wish list will be provided in late November/Early December n Gifts need to be delivered to Ambassadors for Children (inside the CCO office) by 4:30pm Friday, December 16th. n These gifts will be wrapped during our Gift Wrapping Party
Partnership with Crosslines Toystore for young foster children n Ambassadors for Children is partnering with the Greene County Children’s Division and Crosslines Toystore to provide Christmas gifts for local foster children age birth-12. n These gifts will be wrapped during our Gift Wrapping Party
2nd Annual Gift Wrapping Party n We’ll wrap over 500 gifts for local children in foster care n Monday, December 19th from 9am-when we finish n Council of Churches building (627 N. Glenstone, Springfield 65802) n Volunteer lunch sponsored by Senior Resource Network of the Ozarks
Gift Wrapping Supplies Needed n We need Christmas wrapping paper, tape & gift tags for our 2nd Annual Gift Wrapping Party. n Supplies needed by December 16th 4:30 p.m.
Contact Sondra to get involved. (417) 862-3586 ext. 236 or suzzell@ccozarks.org life Together! 7
Share Christmas – H Alternative Gifts Perfect gifts sometimes aren’t found in the fashion boutique, home goods store or the electronics aisle – sometimes the perfect gift is from the heart. Alternative gifts for CCO offer a way for the giver to help a local family and give the recipient the satisfaction of giving a life-changing gift to a child, family or senior right here in the Ozarks! How do you want to make a difference in a person’s life?
Council of Churches –
Crosslines
Area of Greatest Need
$35 – Provides Thanksgiving Food Baskets for a family
Your Special Gift in any amount will be put to work where we need it most right here in our community.
Ambassadors for Children $100 – Christmas gifts for one teenager in foster care $83.00 – Provides 6 complete outfits for a foster child and socks, underwear, pajamas and a winter coat $41.50 – Provides 3 complete outfits for a foster child and socks, underwear, pajamas and a winter coat $15 – Provides a new pair of shoes for a foster child
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$60 - Provides one complete set of toys, hat, gloves, underwear and socks for a child $568 – Provides enough emergency food to supply the Pantry for one day (60-70 families)
Long Term Care Ombudsman $100 – Provides basic necessities for 5 nursing home residents $40 – Provides basic necessities and Christmas gift for one nursing home resident $20 – Provides one Christmas gift for a nursing home resident
Help A Local Family
Connections Handyman Services $160 – provides one water faucet, installation, tools and materials $90 – provides one set of installed grab bars for an elderly person’s bathroom $50 – provides ten deck boards to build part of a wheelchair ramp at a home
Daybreak Adult Day Care $200 – Provides one wheel chair $90 – Provides three round trip transports to doctor’s appointment or dialysis $30 – Provides one set of craft supplies for a person with disabilities
Child Care Food Program $90 – Provides one set of kitchen appliances for food preparation demonstrations $40 – Provides one day mileage to monitor 100 children in 7 daycare facilities
Child Care Aware® of Southern Missouri $200 – will provide a group of child care providers a one hour training to increase their quality of care $120 – Provides an onsite visit to a child care program that is working on Accreditation $30 – Provides Comfort Kits for three children life Together! 9
align them with their National and Missouri organization. addition, with the new name, Child Care Aware of Southe Missouri has expanded to 10 more counties in Southern Missouri. Get additional details at www.ccozarks.org!
Winter Projects and Fun for Children Here are some great ways that children can help get ready for the holidays, have fun and save money! We suggest adult help or supervision is needed with all the steps.
Sponging Gift Bag From: 101 Great Gifts From Kids by Stephanie R. Mueller and Ann E. Wheeler
Materials for the Project: 3 Brown paper bag 3 Newspaper or plastic grocery bags 3 Sponges, cut into varied shapes 3 Paint 3 Salt 1. Stuff the brown paper bag with newspapers or plastic bags to add support when painting both sides. 2. Use sponges dipped in paint to cover the outer sides of the bag. Use various colors of paint. 3. While sponged paint is wet, sprinkle on salt. Shake off excess salt. 4. Dry completely. The bag is ready to hold a special gift.
Seasonal Suggestions: When using specific colors such as red and green for Christmas, let one color dry before using the next. Add some white “snow” paint sprinkled with salt.
“Snow” Ideas From: Celebrate Every Day by Lisa Durkin, Debby Dixler and Kathy Faggella
Snowy Day Pictures
1. Have children mix Ivory snowflakes and water with hand beaters until thick and foamy. 2. Then, let them paint with the mixture on blue paper to create a snowy scene.
Snowman Snacks
1. Provide each child with 3 marshmallows and a toothpick. 2. Let them build model snowmen and add raisins for facial features and buttons. 3. Extra toothpicks can be used for arms.
Ice Crystal Pictures
1. Have children draw a picture with crayons on a darkish piece of construction paper. 2. Prepare a mixture of equal parts Epsom salts and water. 3. Have children paint the solution over the their crayon picture. When paper dries, ice crystals will appear.
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Easy – No Bake Cookies Prep Time: 10 Min Ready In: 45 Min Original Recipe Yield 3 dozen Ingredients Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving 1 3/4 cups white sugar Calories: . . . . . 110 Total Fat: . . . . . 4.9g 1/2 cup milk Cholesterol:. . . 7mg 1/2 cup butter 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter 3 cups quick-cooking oats 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened. From allrecipes.com
Helping Low Income Seniors Connections Handyman Services provides essential home repairs to people
with disabilities and low-income seniors in Greene County. Each year, Realtors® Helping People (RHP) hosts a fundraiser to raise funds for the home repairs, especially the access ramps. We are grateful for RHP and all they do to help us to improve the quality of life in our community. Our clients tell it best:
A Place In The Sun…
My name is Claudia and I want to thank Connections
Handyman Services (CHS) from the bottom of my heart for helping me get a place to sit in the sun. I’m not well. My mom took me in but we don’t have much money. I can’t balance well enough to walk much less do steps so mom was having a hard time getting me in and out of the house. A volunteer group from Center Baptist Church, Ash Grove, teamed up with Connections Handyman Services to build a ramp for me and mom. Funds provided by Realtors® Helping People purchased the materials so we could have a ramp built. More than a ramp, the volunteers also built a couple of landings into the ramp so that I could have a place to sit in the sun. But now, thanks to you, I can dig the fresh air and the peace of my mom’s back yard.
Now Mom Can Come Home…
A
fter Mom had her foot amputated, the folks at the Rehab center said that she couldn’t come home until she had a ramp built. My name is Stella. Before her foot problem, Jenny (my mom) and I lived peacefully in her home. The Rehab folks gave me the names of some agencies that might be able to help. One had a waiting list of a year and the other didn’t have the funding. Then I heard about Connections Handyman Services. When I called them, they said that not only did they have a volunteer group looking for a short ramp to build but they also had funding from Realtors® Helping People for the materials. As is their custom, CHS also built a landing in the ramp so that mom can wheel her chair out to get some fresh air whenever she wants to. Now MOM is truly at home!!! Over the past seven years, Realtors® Helping People (with a little help from CHS) has funded at least 43 ramps, PLUS, funded additional essential home repairs to help more than 212 homeowners in the Springfield/Greene county area. life Together! 11
What a Difference a day makes at Daybreak…. A Child is born… A bouncing baby boy, Benjamin was born on March 1, 1986. Not until around the age of five did his parents start to notice subtle signs of something unexpected. On January 29, 1993 at the age of 6, Ben was diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ADL). ADL is a very rare disease that affects the motor portion of the brain and the adrenal gland. The cogitative or thinking portion of the brain is not affected. After graduating from High School, Ben has attended Daybreak five days a week. There are many ways Adult day services impact their lives. Adult day services allow his parents to both continue working outside the home. Ben enjoys the daily interaction with his friends and the staff at Daybreak. He greets everyone each day with a smile. Ben loves to participate in many games, enjoys the jokes he’s told and books read to him. He also loves to go on outings, bowling, to the park, and to the movies. Ben loves to be outside, even just going on a walk and enjoying the sunshine makes him smile. One of his favorite activities at Daybreak is the water gun fun. He laughs about getting to shoot the staff with the water gun and laughs even more when he gets shot with water. Ben also receives medical monitoring and personal care at Daybreak. Ben’s parents have said “What a difference Daybreak makes in his life. He thoroughly enjoys attending Daybreak.” It gives them peace of mind knowing he is being taken care of even when they are not there to do the care themselves.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program “I was sick and you visited me…”
(Matthew 25:36)
Helping Seniors in Nursing Homes this Christmas Each Christmas season, Ombudsman volunteers and staff deliver Christmas gifts to area nursing homes to deliver cheer, gifts and necessities. Many of the residents do not have family or friends to visit and most of the Medicaid residents have about $30 each month for necessities. The goal of the Ombudsman Long Term Care Program is to focus on what is best for the resident and promote a culture change to make a nursing home more “home-like” for residents. You can help create this homelike feel and help a senior this year with your financial contribution. A gift of $20 can provide a Christmas gift for a resident.
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Christmas Cards for Seniors – Christmas Activity for Sunday School Children can make their own special Christmas greetings for residents in nursing homes. What a great way to give holiday cheer and keep a holiday tradition continuing with children!
Making an Impact in Our Community RSVP keeps more than 1400 volunteers (ages 55+) active in our community volunteering at over 125 agencies/non-profits in our community. More than likely, you have been helped by a RSVP volunteer. They are volunteering at hospitals, information desks, charities and more! You will find RSVP volunteers assisting in organizations helping with a variety of duties and saving these organizations nearly $406,000!
What Volunteers Do: 4 Clerical and bulk mailings duties 4 Hospitals at the information desk 4 Escorting patients who come in for outpatient procedures 4 Being a mentor to a child 4 Volunteering in charitable organizations in our community 4 Delivering meals to the homebound 4 Shopping for the Homebound 4 Driving the RSVP vans
How You Can Get Involved With the holidays quickly coming upon us we ask that you give us a call to volunteer your time and talent, we will have several opportunities such as helping Crosslines at Christmas handing out the food baskets, helping with the Toy Store, wrapping presents for the Ombudsman program to hand out to residents in local nursing homes. To find out more about our program and the opportunities call us at 862.3595. One of our riders wrote to us saying “Impaired vision prevents my driving. I have volunteered for the past 17 years. It would be another part of my independence to give up without the RSVP van service. I appreciate each and every time I receive this service. Thank you and Bless you”.
Colene Hank was recognized and presented with the Mary Horton Volunteer of the Year Award. Colene has volunteered for two years with her husband as a Reading Buddy in a school with students from difficult family situations. With her background as a reading specialist she has developed additional training material for the RSVP Reading Buddy Program and takes the time to assist other volunteers with the training materials. Colene also plays a vital role in the delivery of quality of life programs for nursing home residents. She is at the nursing facility multiple days per week assisting with special events and visiting with residents. She has a humble heart and willingly serves others with joy. Thank you & Congratulations to Colene!
New Shelter For Women Safe to Sleep – Woman’s Overnight Shelter opened on September 6, 2011. Safe to Sleep provides a place for women to get inside at night if they were stranded in Springfield or without money to get an apartment or motel. Within a few days the six overnight cots were full and there were other women waiting. Safe to Sleep was begun without waiting for a grant or special funding, but by the cooperation of numerous agencies and volunteers. The Kitchen provided a small apartment, Victory Trade School provided a
free breakfast, and the Red Cross provided cots. Council of Churches of the Ozarks organized over 40 volunteers to stay in pairs overnight. Already we have seen women make progress in their own goals by having a place to get inside for the night and a supportive, caring atmosphere. As cold weather approaches and Safe to Sleep is full, we are already making an effort to expand. life Together! 13
Thank You to our Generous Grant-Making Partners Abilities First Binnie Clements Guild City of Springfield, Community Development Block Grant Community Foundation of the Ozarks Corporation for National & Community Service Cox Health Foundation C.W. Titus Foundation Darr Family Foundation Emergency Food & Shelter Program – FEMA ExxonMobil Foundation Greater Springfield Board of Realtors Greene County Senior Citizens Service Fund John Q. Hammons Foundation H.O.P.E. Sertoma Junior League of Springfield Elizabeth McCain Foundation Martin Family Foundation
MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation Missouri Foundation for Health Missouri Housing Trust Fund Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign (MSECC) The Jeanette Musgrave Foundation Charlie & Mary Beth O’Reilly Foundation Old Missouri Bank Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation (OHAF) Christine & Katharina Pauly Trust Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation Ronald McDonald Charities Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast Springfield Sports Hall of Fame Turner Family Foundation United Way of the Ozarks Wal-Mart Foundation Webster Electric Foundation Tal & Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten Foundation
Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks Ending Sessions Recently the Council of Churches Board of Directors made the difficult decision to discontinue Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks (TRO) at the conclusion of the fall 2011 therapy sessions. Since 1995, thousands of volunteers, clients and partners have participated in the unique ministry of TRO. The Council of Churches is profoundly grateful for each participant, and for the many community partners such as Missouri State University, Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Burrell Behavioral Health, and Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation that made TRO possible. We give thanks for TRO, and all those who dedicated countless hours to advancing the mission of the Council of Churches, improving the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities in the Ozarks.
Mark Struckhoff Executive Director 14 life Together!
pictures Together! AFC Kids Clothes Closet
Comfort Kits Mission #2
180 Film Festival
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life
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
Council of Churches of the Ozarks PO Box 3947 Springfield, MO 65808-3947
PaId Springfield, MO Permit #772
TOGETHER! Thank You
Corporate Giving Angel Share Christmas. Help A Local Family. • 77% increase in families requesting Holiday assistance the first week of applications as compared to last year.
Share Christmas. Help A Local Family.
Double the Power of Your Donation! Power of Together Challenge
• Unprecedented amount in of families requessng 77% increase children in foster care in Greene Holiday assistance the first week of County – an average of 45 What is the CCO Foundation Power of Together Challenge? applicaaons compared to last year. each month which is anas80% A pooling together of leadership gifts from CCO Foundation, increase from 2009. CCO board members, partners and sponsors to utilize as a
amount of children in • RecordUnprecedented number of families dollar-for-dollar match with your gift. foster care in Greene County - an visiting the Crosslines food How and when will the Challenge funds be used? of for each month which is an pantryaverage and asking holiday Challenge gifts are used in 2011 to help meet the increased demand assistance % increase from . for services to local families that need our help. We provide
Give a gift that assistance to abused and neglected children, families in crisis, low Record number of families visiing the changes a life this income seniors, nursing home residents and people with disabilities. Crosslines Christmas.food pantry and asking for holiday HURRY! Donations for the Match need to be postmarked by Donateassistance. Today – December 31, 2011! Give a gii that CCOzarks.org changes a life this Christmas. Donate securely online at CCOzarks.org
Donate Today - CCOzarks.org Thank you to our Sponsors!
Life Together! is a quarterly publication of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, designed to inform readers of current community needs and service agencies activities and recognize donors and volunteers. Life Together! is mailed without charge to anyone interested in the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.
Presenting Sponsor - $5,000 +
Council of Churches of the Ozarks Dorsey E. Levell Ministry Center of the Ozarks 627 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802 MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808-3947 Phone: 417.862.3586 Email: ccozarks@CCOzarks.org Fax: 417.862.2129 Website: www.CCOzarks.org
Gold Sponsors - $2,500 +
Central Office Staff Paula Austin • Advancement Assistant • ext. 233 Romona Baker • Resource Coordinator for Homeless Services • ext. 225 Leslie Boughton • Grant Writer • ext. 235 Krista Crumpley • Receptionist Barbara Gardner • Executive Assistant/HR • ext. 224 Janet Garoutte • Receptionist Rick George • Director of Finance and Operations • ext. 232 Christine Moses • Director of Marketing & Development • ext. 238 Mark Struckhoff • Executive Director The Council of Churches Foundation Phone: 417.839.7450
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Silver Sponsor - $1,000 +
Hlavacek, Morris, McIntrye, Yates & Danielson, Larry Freund, Inc. Peck’s Insurance & Financial Services, Southern Missouri Containers
Challenge Partner - $250 +
Ollis & Company